The Fox and the Dove
Once upon a time, at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed, there rose a majestic plane tree. On the highest branch of this lofty tree, a dainty dove with silver wings had lovingly built her nest. In the sweet coolness of the evening she would tremble over her eggs and whisper lullabies that brought peace to the forest. But among the secluded bushes, a dappled fox famed for his cunning was prowling stealthily. The fox had set his eye upon the dove's nest and had begun to devise a treacherous plan. The next morning the fox came beneath the plane tree, raised his head and shouted in a harsh and terrifying voice. "O dove, if you do not throw one of your eggs down at once, I shall fell this plane tree at its root with my sharp axe!"
The helpless dove, whose wings trembled with fear, believed this lie of the fox and had to submit hopelessly. Just then a wise stork, gliding down from among the silver clouds, alighted beside the troubled dove. "The fox has neither an axe nor wings to fly up to the sky," he said, giving the dove courage. The dove, whose eyes fear had blinded, suddenly grasped the truth through these wise words of her friend. The next day, when the fox came again and hurled the same threats, the dove this time stood firm. "I have had my fill of your empty threats; you can neither cut down the tree nor climb up here!" she said. The fox, realizing that his plan had been ruined, foamed with rage and asked from whom she had got this idea.
When the dove naively gave the name of the wise stork, the fox ran to the riverbank with a desire for revenge. Seeing the stork resting on one leg among the reeds, the fox approached him with honeyed words. "Would you show me too how you hide your head when the wind blows?" he said, wishing to seize him suddenly. But the clever stork, sensing the fox's intention, beat his wings towards the sky at that very moment. The cunning fox, not knowing what to do out of spite, vanished among the bushes. Those who do not surrender to fear but take refuge in the light of truth foil every deceitful trap. Lies have short legs.